Method and apparatus for directional switching of pneumatic material transport piping

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for directing the flow of material between a plurality of storage bins and metallurgical vessels each having a coupling pipe connected thereto. Each of a plurality of interconnected directional switches is coupled to at least one storage bin and vessel and including rotatably mounted pipe coupling sections for connecting alternate flow paths between various bins and vessels when in various alternate positions.

D United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,826,539 Kunz et a1. [4 July 30, 1974 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 2,196,927 4/1940 Larson 137/625.43 x DIRECTIONAL SWITCHING 0 2,229,931 1/1941 Parker l37/625.43 X PNEUMATIC MATERIAL TRANSPORT 2,308,307 1/1943 Robinson 302/64 X 2,856,150 10/1958 McDonald l37/625.47 X PIPING K 3,047,020 7/1962 Barrett l37/625.47 X 3,174,806 3/1965 Barber et al... 285/31 X [75] Inventors ggg f ggm iggggggsg lfi 3,395,731 8/1968 Kauffman 285/184 x S he b h 3,473,550 10/1969 Van Scoy et a]. l37/625.47 X c 1 5 mg 1 a O 3,580,540 5/1971 Heinen .1 137/625.47 x [73] Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa. Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Assistant ExaminerW. Scott Carson [22] Ffled' 1972 Attorney, Agent, or FirmFred Wiviott [2]] Appl. No.: 295,862

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. 01 302/27, 137/625.47, 266/35, A method and apparatus for directing the flow of 235/31, 302/28 302/64 terial between a plurality of storage bins and metallur- 51 Int. Cl. 865g 53/36, B65g 53/56 gical vessels each having a coupling p p Connected [53] Fi ld of g h 137/62543, 62546 62547; thereto. Each of a plurality of interconnected direc- 235 3 32 134; 302 1143 27 2g 4 144 tional switches is coupled to at least one storage bin and vessel and including rotatably mounted pipe cou- 5 References it d pling sections for connecting alternate flow paths be- UNITED STATES PATENTS tween various bins and vessels when in various alter- 1,644,361 10/1927 Talbot... 302 64 x posmons 1,673,103 6/1928 Cochin 137/6254? 14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SHEEI 2 OF 4 FIG.4

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to means for transporting finely divided material to a metallurgical vessel from one of a number of storage bins.

In various metallurgical processes various materials are added to the molten metal bath from time totime. For example in the conversion of molten pig iron to steel, lime, limestone, fluorspar, burnt lime, carbonaceous materials, iron oxides, desulfurization agents and the like. In pneumatic steelmaking process, where various gases such as oxygen, argon and the like are blown beneath the surface of the molten metal, these additive materials are often reduced to a powdered form and entrained in the gas stream for transport and injection into the molten metal.

In the pneumatic transport of finely divided materials, such as powderedlime, limestone, iron oxide, etc., valving in the pneumatic transport lines may be subject to rapid wear due to abrasive action of the finely entrained particles. This is especially true in high pressure, high speed systems such as are used, for example. In such systems, the finely divided materials which may be stored in convenient bins, is entrained in a process gas and transported to the converter vessel where they are injected into the hot metal. In shops containing a plurality of vessels, it becomes desirable to have the capability of feeding the powdered material to a particular vessel from different ones of the storage bins. Because of the abrasive action of such powdered materials, which would be particularly destructive of switching valves, the switching of material sources has been largely a manual operation.

To those familiar with the art of pneumatic transport, it will be cleat that the transport pipes for abrasive material are normally lined internally with abrasion resistant material, such as refractory, concrete, or metallic materials such as tungsten carbide. For thehigh speed transport of lime, a typical transport pipe lining material may be basalt, a naturally found volcanic rock consisting typically of up to 50 percent silica. Such linings are prepared by casting molten basalt into the desired shape for installation into the transport pipe. Typically, a transport pipe of this type employed in connection with a metallurgical vessel may have an inner diameter of approximately 1 l /2 inches and an outer diameter of 16 inches. For pipe bends, a minimum radius of approximately 6 feet is common with a typical 90 bend or elbow composed of three or two 45 flanged pieces. When the material is entrained in the process gas of a metallurgical vessel, which may be at pressures in excess of 150 psi, heavy flanges are required for the transport pipe section joints. Such heavy flanges and the relatively large size of the transport pipe and lining make the manual disconnection and reconnection of such piping sections an arduous task.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for directional switching of pneumatic material transport piping.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system for selectively coupling individual-metallurgical vessels to selected material storage means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a metallurgical process system incorporating material distribution means according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates in greater detail a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically illustrate alternate embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows in greater detail a portion of the system illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the material transport and distribution system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention employed in connection with bottom blown converter vessels, although it will be appreciated that the invention has application to other types of pneumatic steelmaking vessels as well. The system includes a material storage container l0, converter vessels 11a and 11b and switching assembly 12. Storage container 10 is connected by pipe 13 to switching assembly 12 and converter vessels 11a and 11b are respectively connected to said switching assembly 12 by pipes 14a and 14b.

Storage tank 10 may contain finely divided or powdered materials required in pneumatic steelmaking processes such as burnt lime, lime, limestone, iron oxide, carbonaceous materials, desulfurizing agents or the like. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, vessel 10 may be pressurized by means which are not shown but which are well known in the art. Normally means are provided in the lower end of vessel 10 for fluidizing the powdered materials but this has not been shown since it is well known in the art. A selectively operable valve 17 couples the vessel 10 to the pipe 13 and in addition a nozzle 18 is coupled in pipe -l3 and is connected to the process gas by pipe 19. The finely. divided or powdered material enters pipe 13 and is propelled along pipe 13 by high pressure gas emanating from nozzle 18. Details of the valve 17 and the nozzle 18 form no part of the present invention and will not be described in detail for the sake of brevity. For more complete description of these components, reference is made to United States application Ser. No. 207,822 filed Dec. 14, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,771,365 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

The metallurgical vessels 11a and 11b may be any well known converter of the pneumatic type wherein an oxygen containing process gas is provided to a hot metal bath. For purposes of illustration, the vessels 1 1a and 11b are of the bottom blown type and are shown in FIG. 1 to generally include a metallic shell 21, a refractory lining 22, and one or 'more tuyeres 23 extending through the refractory lining for delivering process gas beneath the surface of a bath hot metal contained therein. Each of the vessels is supported on a trunnion ring 24 having a pair of trunnion pins 25 extending from the opposite side thereof so that the vessel may be tilted for the purpose of charging, deslagging, and discharging hot metal. A distributor 26 may be provided at the lower end of the vessel to insure proper dispersion ofthe particles in the process gas prior to injection through the tuyeres 23. Pipes 27 may be provided for connecting the distributors 26 to the respective delivery pipes 14a or 14b through the trunnion pins 25. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the tuyere 23 may comprise concentric pipes with the oxygen or oxygen containing gas delivered to the inner pipe and a shielding gas, such as propane, delivered to the outer pipe. For a'more complete description of the tuyere and vessel design, reference is made to application Ser. No. 239,666 filed Mar. 30, 1972 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and for more complete description of thegas and particulate delivery system, through the trunnion pins 25, reference is made to copending application Ser. No. 213,386 filed Dec. 29, 1971, now abandoned and replaced by continuation in part application Ser. No. 332,650, filed Feb. 15, 1973, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

As indicated above, storage vessel is connected to switching station 12 by pipe 13 and converter vessels 11a and 11b are respectively connected to ing station by pipes 14a and 14b.

Switching assembly 12 is shown in FIGSv 2 and 3 to include 'a circular, generally horizontally arranged, turntable 31 and an arcuate pipe section 32. A pair of rails 33 are mounted in a horizontally spaced apart relation on the turntable 31 and the opposite side of a plane bisecting the same. The pipe section 32 has pairs of rollers 34 suitably mounted on the lower end thereof and in spaced apart relation for engaging the rails 33. Turntable 31 is supported by means of a plurality of rails and rollers 35 which are arranged in a circulate array adjacent the lower periphery thereof for engaging annular rails and rollers 35 mounted therebelow. In addition, a vertical shaft 36 is affixed axially of the turntable 31 and extends downwardly from the lower end thereof for engaging a bearing 37. A gear 38 is affixed to shaft 36 and is meshingly engaged by a pinion 39 which is'adapted to be rotated by a motor 40.

Pipe 32 carries flanges 42 and 43 on its opposite ends said switchfor matingly engaging the flanges 13, 14a and 14b onpipes 13, 14a or 14b. The are of pipe 321s such that an angle of approximately lis formed between the intersection of the axes 44 and 45 of flanges 42 and 43 respectively. In addition the pipes 13, 14a and 14b are arranged at angles of approximately 120 around the periphery of turntable 31.

When the pipe section 32 is in its position shown by full lines in FIG. 2, its flanges 42 and 43 are in registry with flanges 14a of pipe 14a and 13"of pipe 13. The flanges may be secured in a sealing relation in any suitable manner such as by nuts 47 and bolts 48. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that suitable gasketing for sealing the various flanges may also be provided.

Initially when the switching assembly 12 is in its position shown in FIG. 1, storage container 10 is coupled to vessel 11a. Should it be desired to couple container 10 to vessel 10b, the nuts 47 and bolts 48 are released freeing flanges 42 and 43 from flanges 14a and 13 re- 'spectively.

The pipe section 32 may then be moved in the direction of the tracks 33 and along-a line which bisects the angle formed by planes containing the flanges 14a' and vl3. After pipe section has been moved to a position where its flanges 42 and 43 are within the periphery of turntable 31 and so that they will not engage flanges42 and 43 upon rotation, turntable 31 may be rotated 120 clockwise by operation of motor 40 acting through pinion 39 and gear 38. This places flange 42 of pipe section 32 opposite flanges 13' of pipe 13 and flange 43 opposite flange 14b of pipe 14b. The rails 33 now span the center line 44of. pipe flange 14a. As a result, movement of pipe 32 upwards and to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 will move flange 43 into engagement with flange 14b" and flange 42 into engagement with flange 13' whereupon the flanges may be secured by nuts 47 and bolts 48.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate form of the invention to include a pair of material storage containers 10a and 10b and a pair of switching assemblies 12a and 12b. Pipes 13a and 13b extend from containers 10a and 10b to switching assemblies 12a and 12b and pipes 14a-and 14b extend from switching assemblies 12a and 12b to vessels'lla and 11b. In addition a pipe 49 extends between switching assemblies 12a and 12b. The containers.10a and 10b, vessels 11a and 11b, switching assemblies 12a and 12b, piping 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b may be identical to the correspondingly numbered structure illustrated in FIGS. l-3 and accordingly these portions of the apparatus will not be discussed in detail for the sake of brevity. 1

'When the switching assemblies 12a and 12b are in their positions shown by full lines in FIG. 4, container 10a is connected to vessel 11a and container 10b is connected to vessel 11b. However, should it beldesired to couple either of the vessels 11a or 11b to a different one of the material storage ontainers 11a or 11b, the switching assemblies 12a and 12b will be rotated appropriately. For example, if it isdesired to couple container 10a to vessel 11b, pipe sections 32a and 32b are respectively disconnected from pipes 13a, 14a, 13b and 14b and are moved inwardly as discussedwith respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 Switching assemblies 12a and 12b are then each rotated clockwise to place pipe sections 32a and 32b in the positions shown by phantom lines 32a and 32b in FIG. 4. On the other hand if it is desired to connect storage container 10b to vessel 11a, the switching assemblies 12a and 12b are placed in'the positions wherein pipe sections 32a and 32bare in the positions shown by phantomlines 32a" and 32b" in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an arrangement including three material storage vessels 10a, 10b and 10c, three metallurgical vessels 11a, 11b and 110, and switching assemblies 12a, 12b and 120. Storage containers 10a, 10b and are respectively connected by pipes 13a, 13b and 130 to switching assemblies 12a, 12b and 120 and converter vessels 11a, 11b and 116 are respectively connected to said switching assemblies by pipes 14a, 14b and 14c. It will be understood that the containers 10a, 10b and 100, the metallurgical vessels 11a, 11b and and the switching assemblies 12a and 12b may be identical to the correspondingly numbered apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

Referring now to FIG. 6 which shows the switching assembly to include a circular, generally horizontally mountedturntable 60 for supporting a pair of curved pipe sections 61 and 62 which flank a straight pipe assembly 64. Pipe section 61 includes opposite end flanges 65 and 66; pipe section 63 includes opposite end flanges 67 and 68; and pipe assembly 64 includes opposite end flanges 69 and 70. The axes 71 and 72 of-flanges 65 and 66 intersect at an angle of approximately 120 with each other. Further, axes 71 and 72 respectively intersect axis 73 of flange 69 and axis 74 of flange 70 at angles of approximately 45. Similar relationships exist between axis 75 of flange 67 and axis 76 of flange 68 and the remaining flanges. Pipe sections 61 and 63 each have pairs of rollers 81 mounted in spaced apart relation in the same manner that rollers 31 are mounted below pipe section 32 shown in FIG. 3. Each of the pairs of rollers 81 are mounted on one of a pair of rails 80 which are disposed in a parallel relation below each of the pipe sections 61 and 63. In this manner, each of the pipe sections 61 and 62 are movable toward and away from the center pipe assembly 64 and from their positions shown by full lines in FIG. 4 to their positionsshown by phantom lines.

The center pipe assembly 64 includes a first rigid pipe member 84 which carries flange 70 at its outer end and a second rigid pipe member 85 which is coaxial with pipe 84 and which carries flanges 69 at its outer end. The inner ends of each of the pipe sections 84 and 85 are spaced apart from each other and are interconnected by a flexible bellows assembly 86. The pipe sections 84 and 85 also each include flanges 88 and 89 at their inner ends respectively. Flanges 88 and 89 are interconnected by a suitable motive assembly 90, which may comprise, for example, a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston and cylinder. When switching assembly 12c is in its position shown in FIG. 6, flange 70 is bolted to flange 13c of pipe 130 and flange 69 is bolted to flange 14c of pipe 14c. As a result, pipes 130 and 14c are interconnected. It will be appreciated that turntable 60 may be mounted for rotation in any suitable manner such as by rollers (not shown) mounted on an annular rail (not shown) in a manner similar to the manner in whichturntable 31 is mounted. Similarly, turntable 60 may be rotated in any suitable manner such as by means of a gear system (not shown) and a motor (not shown) in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3 with respect to turntable 31.

Referring again to FIG. 5 when the switching assemblies 12a, 12b and 120 are in their positions shown by full lines, container a is'coupled to converter vessel 11a through pipes 13a and 14a and pipe section 32a; container 10b is connected to vessel 11b through an analogous path; and storage vessel 10c is coupled to converter vessel 11c through pipe assembly 64.

In the event it becomes necessary or desirable to provide material from one of the containers 10a, 10b or 10c to one of the converter vessels 11a, 11b or 11c, other than those which they are shown to be connected in FIG. 5, the switching assemblies 12a, 12b and 12c can be operated to accommodate any such feeding arrangement. For example, assume that it is desired to feed converter vessel 11a from storage vessel 10c. Initially, flanges 42a and 43a of pipe section 32a are unbolted from flanges 13a and 14a and pipe section 32a moved inwardly whereupon turntable 31 is rotated 120 counterclockwise to its position shown by phantom lines 32a to place flange 42a opposite flange 49a on pipe 490 and flange 43a opposite flange 14a of pipe 14a. Pipe section 32 is then moved radially upwardly until said flanges engage and are then bolted together. This couples pipe 14a to pipe 49. In addition, flanges 70 and 69 of pipe assembly 64 are unbolted from flanges 140 of pipe 140 and 13c of pipe 13c, respectively. Cylinders 90 may then be operated to move pipe sections 84 and 85 radially inwardly in a way from flanges 69 and 70 and turntable 60 rotated 45 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5 to place flanges 65 and 66 of pipe section 61 opposite flanges 49a of pipe 49 and 130' of pipe section 13c respectively. Pipe section 61 is then moved radially outwardly to move the flanges into engagement whereupon they may be secured together. Pipe section 61 is then in the position shown by line 61' in FIG. 5 whereupon vessel 11a is connected to storage vessel 10c.

Assume on the other hand with the turntables 31a, 31b and 60 in their initial position shown by full lines in FIG. 5 and it is desired to connect container 10a to vessel 1 1c. The flanges of pipe section 32a and pipe assembly 64 are intially unbolted and moved radially inwardly. Turntable 31a is then rotated 120 clockwise and turntable 60 rotated 45 counterclockwise. This places pipes 32a and pipe 61 in positions shown by phantom lines 32a and 61". After the appropriate flanges are bolted pipe 130 is coupled to pipe 49a which in turn is coupled to pipe 140.

Assume again when the switching assemblies 12a, 12b and 120 are in their positions shown by full lines in FIG. 5 and that it becomes desirable to couple container 10b to converter vessel 11a. This is accomplished by suitably uncoupling the various flanges of the three switching assemblies 12a, 12b and 120 and rotating turntable 31a 120 counterclockwise to its position pipe 32a at 32a turntable 61 to position pipe assembly 64 in its position shown by dashed lines 64; turntable 31b counterclockwise to position pipe section 32b in its position shown by phantom line 320. The various pipe sections are then moved outwardly and the flanges bolted whereupon tank 10b is coupled to vessel 11a through pipes 13b, 32c, 49b, 64, 49a, 32a and 14a. 1

From the foregoing it will be appreciated how the various containers 10a, 10b and 10c can be selectively coupled to any of the vessels 11a, 11b or 11c.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein a curved pipe section 90 which is substantially identical to one of the curved pipe sections 32, is suspended by means of chains 91 from an overhead turntable 92. When it is desired to rotate the pipe coupling 90 from a first position to a second position, it is initially unbolted in a manner discussed with respect to the pipe coupling member 32 of FIGS. 14. Pipe 90 is then pulled inwardly away from the mating flanges of the associated pipe sections and the turntable 92 is then rotated in a suitable manner to position the pipe section 90 in a position adjacent an alternate pair of pipes. Web section 90 may then be moved outwardly into engagement with the mating flanges of the stationary pipe sections and rebolted into position.

Although the invention has been described with regard to one type of converter vessel. it will be appreciated that inventive concept has application to other types of converter vessels as well. Further, modifications to the above described preferred embodiments may be accomplished without deviating from the scope of the inventions. For example, other types of coupling devices besides flanges may be employed to connect and disconnect the pipe sections. Further, flange clearances may be accomplished by providing movable flanges rather than moving the pipe sections. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein but the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A system for controlling the flow of material between at least three spaced apart stations,

a pipe means associated with each station and each pipe means including one end coupled to its asso ciated station and an open end, each said open end having radially extending first coupling means,

coupling pipe means having first and second open ends adapted to be connected to the open ends of said pipe means, support means to support said coupling pipe means, said support means including means for mounting said coupling pipe means for bidirectional movement on said support means, said support means being rotatable about an axis whereby said coupling pipe means can be selectively rotated into alignment with the open ends of any two of said pipe means, each of said first and second open ends of said coupling pipe means having radially extending second coupling means for engaging and effecting a sealed joint selectively with one of said first coupling means when said coupling pipe means is in a coupling position, said first and second'radially extending coupling means interfering with each other and preventing rotation of said coupling pipe means for disengagement with one of said first coupling means to engagement with another when said coupling pipe means is in said coupling position, and

said coupling pipe means being bidirectionally movable on said support means toward said rotational axis to a second position in which said first and second coupling pipe means are spaced from each other to .permit rotation of said coupling pipe means with said support means.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling pipe. means is generally arcuate, the angle formed between the axes of the opposite ends of said coupling pipe means being approximately 120.

3. The apparatus set forthin claim 2 wherein the open ends ofsaid pipe means are arranged around said support means and. spaced apart from each other atradial angles relative to said' substantiallyvertical axis of approximately 120i. f I I 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said coupling pipe means includes a generally arcuate pipe member.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said second coupling means on each end of said coupling pipe means comprises flange means, said first coupling means comprising flange means on the open ends of said pipe means and means for quickly attaching and detaching said second coupling means to adjacent ones of said first coupling means.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said coupling pipe means includes an outer metallic shell and an inner abrasion resistant lining.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said stations includes means for containing and pressurizing metallurgical process material and the other of said stations include a metallurgical vessel,

said coupling pipe means being adapted when in its coupling position to couple one of said metallurgical vessels to said material containing vessel and being constructed and arranged when in'its alter- 8 nate position to couple said material containing vessel to the other of said metallurgical vessels.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said coupling pipe means is generally arcuate, the angle formed between the axes of the opposite ends of said coupling pipe means being approximately '9. The apparatusset forth in claim 7 wherein the open ends of said pipe means are arranged around said support means and spaced apart from each other at radial angles relative to said substantially vertical axis of approximately 120.

10. A metallurgical process system including a plurality of spaced apart stations,

certain of said stations comprising container means for containing metallurgical process material and others of .said stations comprising metallurgical processing vessels,

a plurality of pipe means respectively connected with one of said container means and with one of said metallurgical vessels, each pipe means having an open end,

first and second support means each rotatable between first, second and third alternate positions,

third support means rotatable between a plurality of positions,

first and second interconnecting pipe means each having one end adjacent said third support means 7 and another end extending away therefrom,

first, second and third pipe coupling means mounted on said third support means and being rotatable therewith,

said first pipe coupling means being constructed and arranged to connect said one metallurgical vessel to said one container means when in a first coupling position and for connecting said first interconnecting pipe means to said second interconnecting pipe means when in a second coupling position,

said second pipe coupling means being adapted when in a first coupling position to couple said one metallurgical vessel to said second interconnecting pipe means-and to couple said one container means to said second interconnecting pipe when in a second coupling position, j Y 1 said'third pipe coupling means being adapted to connect-said one metallurgical vessel to said first interconnecting pipe means when in a first coupling position and said one container means to said first interconnecting pipe means when in asecond coupling position, said pipe coupling means each having a first radially extending coupling member at each end and each of said interconnecting pipe means having atsaid ends adjacent said support means a second radially extending coupling member, the radial extent of said coupling members interfering with rotation of said pipe coupling means with said support means when said third pipe coupling means is in either of its first or second coupling position, and

means for supporting at least a pair of said coupling pipe means for bidirectional movement on said third support means from their coupling positions to a non-interfering position toward and radially away from the rotational axis of said rotatable support means, whereby to enable retraction of said pipecoupling means so that said coupling members are in non-interfering relationship to permit rota- 9 tion of said pipe coupling means with said third support means.

11. The system set forth in claim 10 wherein said first interconnecting pipe means comprises a pair of coaxial, endwise spaced pipe members, and yieldable means for joining said adjacent ends of said pipe coupling means and said interconnecting pipe members, the means for selectively contracting and extending said first pipe coupling means to alternately position its radially extending coupling members in non-interfering and engaging relation with the adjacent coupling members.

12. The apparatus set forth in claim 11 wherein said second and third coupling pipe means are disposed on the opposite sides of said first coupling pipe means and are generallyarcuate, the angle formed between the axes of the opposite ends of said coupling pipe means being approximately 120.

13. The system set forth in claim 10 and wherein said plurality of spaced apart stations include second and third container means for containing metallurgical process material and second and third metallurgical ves sels,

a pipe means associated with each of said second and third container means and metallurgical vessels, and each pipe means including one end coupled to its associated station and an open end,

second and third support means each movable between first, second and third alternate positions,

said first interconnecting pipe means extending between said first and second support means and being open at its opposite ends and said second interconnecting pipe means extending between said first and third support means and being open at its opposite ends,

fourth coupling pipe means mounted on said second support means and being movably therewith, said fourth coupling pipe means being open at its opposite ends for selective connection to said pipe means, said forth coupling pipe means being adapted when said second support means is in its first, second and third position respectively to couple a second container means to a second metallurgical vessle, said second container to said first interconnecting pipe, and said second metallurgical vessel to said interconnecting pipe,

fifth coupling means mounted on said third support means and being movable therewith,

said fifth pipe coupling means being adapted when said third support means is in its first, second and third positions for respectively coupling said third metallurgical vessel to said third container means, said third container means to said second interconnecting pipe and said third metallurgical vessel to said second interconnecting pipe.

14. A system for selectively controlling the flow paths of fluidic process material between a pressurized source thereof and metallurgical processing vessels, comprising:

a first stationary fluidic material source pipe having first pipe coupling flange means on one end,

second and third stationary pipe means each comm unicating with a different vessel and each respectively having a second and third pipe coupling flange means on one end,

said first, second and third flange means being angularly spaced apart from each other and presented generally toward a common axis,

a curved coupling pipe member having a flange at each of its opposite ends, support means to support said coupling pipe member, said support means including means for mounting said coupling pipe member for bidirectional movement on said support means, said support means being rotatable about an axis whereby said coupling pipe member can be selectively rotated into alignment with a pair of said first, second and third coupling flange means to effect a fluidic material path from said source pipe to one or another of said vessels, said flange means having such radial extent as to interfere with rotation of said coupling pipe member directly from one connected position to another when said coupling pipe member is in a coupled position, and

said coupling pipe member being bidirectionally movable on said support means toward said rotational axis to a second position in which the flanges on said coupling pipe member are spaced from the respective pair of said first, second and third flange means to permit rotation of said coupling pipe member with said support means. 

1. A system for controlling the flow of material between at least three spaced apart stations, a pipe means associated with each station and each pipe means including one end coupled to its associated station and an open end, each said open end having radially extending first coupling mEans, coupling pipe means having first and second open ends adapted to be connected to the open ends of said pipe means, support means to support said coupling pipe means, said support means including means for mounting said coupling pipe means for bidirectional movement on said support means, said support means being rotatable about an axis whereby said coupling pipe means can be selectively rotated into alignment with the open ends of any two of said pipe means, each of said first and second open ends of said coupling pipe means having radially extending second coupling means for engaging and effecting a sealed joint selectively with one of said first coupling means when said coupling pipe means is in a coupling position, said first and second radially extending coupling means interfering with each other and preventing rotation of said coupling pipe means for disengagement with one of said first coupling means to engagement with another when said coupling pipe means is in said coupling position, and said coupling pipe means being bidirectionally movable on said support means toward said rotational axis to a second position in which said first and second coupling pipe means are spaced from each other to permit rotation of said coupling pipe means with said support means.
 2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling pipe means is generally arcuate, the angle formed between the axes of the opposite ends of said coupling pipe means being approximately 120*.
 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein the open ends of said pipe means are arranged around said support means and spaced apart from each other at radial angles relative to said substantially vertical axis of approximately 120*.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said coupling pipe means includes a generally arcuate pipe member.
 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said second coupling means on each end of said coupling pipe means comprises flange means, said first coupling means comprising flange means on the open ends of said pipe means and means for quickly attaching and detaching said second coupling means to adjacent ones of said first coupling means.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said coupling pipe means includes an outer metallic shell and an inner abrasion resistant lining.
 7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein one of said stations includes means for containing and pressurizing metallurgical process material and the other of said stations include a metallurgical vessel, said coupling pipe means being adapted when in its coupling position to couple one of said metallurgical vessels to said material containing vessel and being constructed and arranged when in its alternate position to couple said material containing vessel to the other of said metallurgical vessels.
 8. The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said coupling pipe means is generally arcuate, the angle formed between the axes of the opposite ends of said coupling pipe means being approximately 120*.
 9. The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein the open ends of said pipe means are arranged around said support means and spaced apart from each other at radial angles relative to said substantially vertical axis of approximately 120*.
 10. A metallurgical process system including a plurality of spaced apart stations, certain of said stations comprising container means for containing metallurgical process material and others of said stations comprising metallurgical processing vessels, a plurality of pipe means respectively connected with one of said container means and with one of said metallurgical vessels, each pipe means having an open end, first and second support means each rotatable between first, second and third alternate positions, third support means rotatable between a plurality of positions, first and second interconnecting pipe means each having one end adjacent said thIrd support means and another end extending away therefrom, first, second and third pipe coupling means mounted on said third support means and being rotatable therewith, said first pipe coupling means being constructed and arranged to connect said one metallurgical vessel to said one container means when in a first coupling position and for connecting said first interconnecting pipe means to said second interconnecting pipe means when in a second coupling position, said second pipe coupling means being adapted when in a first coupling position to couple said one metallurgical vessel to said second interconnecting pipe means and to couple said one container means to said second interconnecting pipe when in a second coupling position, said third pipe coupling means being adapted to connect said one metallurgical vessel to said first interconnecting pipe means when in a first coupling position and said one container means to said first interconnecting pipe means when in a second coupling position, said pipe coupling means each having a first radially extending coupling member at each end and each of said interconnecting pipe means having at said ends adjacent said support means a second radially extending coupling member, the radial extent of said coupling members interfering with rotation of said pipe coupling means with said support means when said third pipe coupling means is in either of its first or second coupling position, and means for supporting at least a pair of said coupling pipe means for bidirectional movement on said third support means from their coupling positions to a non-interfering position toward and radially away from the rotational axis of said rotatable support means, whereby to enable retraction of said pipe coupling means so that said coupling members are in non-interfering relationship to permit rotation of said pipe coupling means with said third support means.
 11. The system set forth in claim 10 wherein said first interconnecting pipe means comprises a pair of coaxial, endwise spaced pipe members, and yieldable means for joining said adjacent ends of said pipe coupling means and said interconnecting pipe members, the means for selectively contracting and extending said first pipe coupling means to alternately position its radially extending coupling members in non-interfering and engaging relation with the adjacent coupling members.
 12. The apparatus set forth in claim 11 wherein said second and third coupling pipe means are disposed on the opposite sides of said first coupling pipe means and are generally arcuate, the angle formed between the axes of the opposite ends of said coupling pipe means being approximately 120*.
 13. The system set forth in claim 10 and wherein said plurality of spaced apart stations include second and third container means for containing metallurgical process material and second and third metallurgical vessels, a pipe means associated with each of said second and third container means and metallurgical vessels, and each pipe means including one end coupled to its associated station and an open end, second and third support means each movable between first, second and third alternate positions, said first interconnecting pipe means extending between said first and second support means and being open at its opposite ends and said second interconnecting pipe means extending between said first and third support means and being open at its opposite ends, fourth coupling pipe means mounted on said second support means and being movably therewith, said fourth coupling pipe means being open at its opposite ends for selective connection to said pipe means, said forth coupling pipe means being adapted when said second support means is in its first, second and third position respectively to couple a second container means to a second metallurgical vessle, said second container to said first interconnecting pipe, and said second metallurgical vessel to said interconnEcting pipe, fifth coupling means mounted on said third support means and being movable therewith, said fifth pipe coupling means being adapted when said third support means is in its first, second and third positions for respectively coupling said third metallurgical vessel to said third container means, said third container means to said second interconnecting pipe and said third metallurgical vessel to said second interconnecting pipe.
 14. A system for selectively controlling the flow paths of fluidic process material between a pressurized source thereof and metallurgical processing vessels, comprising: a first stationary fluidic material source pipe having first pipe coupling flange means on one end, second and third stationary pipe means each communicating with a different vessel and each respectively having a second and third pipe coupling flange means on one end, said first, second and third flange means being angularly spaced apart from each other and presented generally toward a common axis, a curved coupling pipe member having a flange at each of its opposite ends, support means to support said coupling pipe member, said support means including means for mounting said coupling pipe member for bidirectional movement on said support means, said support means being rotatable about an axis whereby said coupling pipe member can be selectively rotated into alignment with a pair of said first, second and third coupling flange means to effect a fluidic material path from said source pipe to one or another of said vessels, said flange means having such radial extent as to interfere with rotation of said coupling pipe member directly from one connected position to another when said coupling pipe member is in a coupled position, and said coupling pipe member being bidirectionally movable on said support means toward said rotational axis to a second position in which the flanges on said coupling pipe member are spaced from the respective pair of said first, second and third flange means to permit rotation of said coupling pipe member with said support means. 